74
MONSTER
Experience exhilarating action set in a dramatic historical setting in SAMURAI WARRIORS 5. As the latest numbered entry in the SAMURAI WARRIORS franchise, the story, characters, and visuals have been re-imagined to set the stage for a thrilling new series. The story takes place after the Ōnin War during the golden age of the Sengoku period, and features a story that centers on the lives of two of the most representative military commanders of this era: Nobunaga Oda and Mitsuhide Akechi.
Game analysis
Monster Scorecard
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Story and Narrative
Expand for full analysis
75
Samurai Warriors 5 shines with sharp character dynamics and historical flair, especially Nobunaga and Mitsuhide’s fraught bond, but falters with repetitive beats, revisionist history, and uneven storytelling—a polarizing mix of ambition and execution gaps.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY
Story Score
75
Positive Reviews (80-100)
57%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
43%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.
TL;DR
story and narrative
Samurai Warriors 5 shines with sharp character dynamics and historical flair, especially Nobunaga and Mitsuhide’s fraught bond, but falters with repetitive beats, revisionist history, and uneven storytelling—a polarizing mix of ambition and execution gaps.
Gameplay Mechanics
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79
Samurai Warriors 5 delivers slick, combo-driven combat with hyper attacks and ultimate skills that thrill, but its repetitive missions, lackluster innovation, and easy difficulty undermine its potential, offering a safe evolution for fans rather than a bold leap.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY
Gameplay Score
79
Positive Reviews (80-100)
64%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
35%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
1%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.
TL;DR
gameplay mechanics
Samurai Warriors 5 delivers slick, combo-driven combat with hyper attacks and ultimate skills that thrill, but its repetitive missions, lackluster innovation, and easy difficulty undermine its potential, offering a safe evolution for fans rather than a bold leap.
Graphics and Visual Design
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79
Samurai Warriors 5 dazzles with a vibrant, manga-influenced cel-shaded aesthetic rooted in traditional Japanese art, but technical flaws on lower-tier platforms—like aliasing, reduced details, and framerate hiccups—dampen its polish, despite universal acclaim for its cultural flair and stylish presentation.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS
Visual Score
79
Positive Reviews (80-100)
54%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
46%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.
TL;DR
graphics and visual design
Samurai Warriors 5 dazzles with a vibrant, manga-influenced cel-shaded aesthetic rooted in traditional Japanese art, but technical flaws on lower-tier platforms—like aliasing, reduced details, and framerate hiccups—dampen its polish, despite universal acclaim for its cultural flair and stylish presentation.
Music and Sound Design
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74
Samurai Warriors 5’s soundtrack dazzles with traditional Japanese flair and eclectic fusion, yet repetitive tracks and no English voice acting tarnish its appeal.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN
Sound Score
74
Positive Reviews (80-100)
46%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
54%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.
TL;DR
music and sound design
Samurai Warriors 5’s soundtrack dazzles with traditional Japanese flair and eclectic fusion, yet repetitive tracks and no English voice acting tarnish its appeal.
Voice Acting
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67
Samurai Warriors 5's Japanese voice acting is a standout strength, praised for its energy, authenticity, and immersion, with critics like Multiplayer.it and BaziCenter calling it "well interpreted" and "commendable." However, non-Japanese speakers face hurdles: subtitles are hard to follow in fast-paced action, and the lack of English voice options or localization limits accessibility. While the vocal performances elevate the game's atmosphere, their effectiveness is undermined by language barriers, making the experience a mixed bag—rich in style but flawed in inclusivity.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING
Acting Score
67
Positive Reviews (80-100)
27%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
73%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.
TL;DR
voice acting
Samurai Warriors 5's Japanese voice acting is a standout strength, praised for its energy, authenticity, and immersion, with critics like Multiplayer.it and BaziCenter calling it "well interpreted" and "commendable." However, non-Japanese speakers face hurdles: subtitles are hard to follow in fast-paced action, and the lack of English voice options or localization limits accessibility. While the vocal performances elevate the game's atmosphere, their effectiveness is undermined by language barriers, making the experience a mixed bag—rich in style but flawed in inclusivity.
Technical Performance
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71
Samurai Warriors 5 delivers mixed but largely solid performance across platforms: PC and PS4 shine with stable 60fps and smooth battles, while Switch offers smooth docked play despite handheld hiccups. Xbox One struggles with load times and glitches, and PS4 faces camera issues. Despite minor technical flaws, the game marks a step forward in optimization over previous entries.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
Tech Score
71
Positive Reviews (80-100)
34%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
61%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
5%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.
TL;DR
technical performance
Samurai Warriors 5 delivers mixed but largely solid performance across platforms: PC and PS4 shine with stable 60fps and smooth battles, while Switch offers smooth docked play despite handheld hiccups. Xbox One struggles with load times and glitches, and PS4 faces camera issues. Despite minor technical flaws, the game marks a step forward in optimization over previous entries.
Replay Value
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71
Samurai Warriors 5 offers deep replayability through diverse modes and progression systems but is weighed down by repetitive gameplay, a lack of innovation, and formulaic design, splitting opinions between series veterans and newcomers.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE
Replay Score
71
Positive Reviews (80-100)
36%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
62%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
2%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.
TL;DR
replay value
Samurai Warriors 5 offers deep replayability through diverse modes and progression systems but is weighed down by repetitive gameplay, a lack of innovation, and formulaic design, splitting opinions between series veterans and newcomers.
Overall Verdict
74
MONSTER
OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION
Monster Score
74
Positive Reviews (80-100)
53%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
47%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
1%
Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.
TL;DR
Samurai Warriors 5 dazzles with polished gameplay, bold art direction, and a gripping story, but repeats old tropes and stumbles on technical glitches, offering a safe yet uninspired entry in a genre longing for innovation.
74
MONSTER
Reviews
122 reviews found100
Comicbook.com
Jul 26, 2021
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The review gives Samurai Warriors 5 a rating of 5 out of 5, stating that it is the best action game Koei Tecmo has released in quite a while and offers a fulfilling experience for both new and veteran players.
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100
Digitally Downloaded
Jul 26, 2021
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Samurai Warriors 5 is a refined, nuanced, and impactful entry in the series, deserving critical praise for its gameplay and narrative. It is Koei Tecmo's finest effort yet and may inspire players to learn more about Japanese history.
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100
GameGrin
Aug 3, 2021
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The game is outstanding and a must-play title.
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95
Xbox Tavern
Jul 29, 2021
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Samurai Warriors 5 is recommended for veterans and those curious about the franchise. The reviewer praises the gameplay, story, graphics, and replay value.
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90
TouchArcade
Aug 3, 2021
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The author gives it a score of 4.5/5.
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90
Shindig
Aug 22, 2021
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Samurai Warriors 5 is a fantastic new direction for the series, with a compelling story, enjoyable gameplay, and stunning visual design. The technical performance on the Switch is a minor drawback, but it is still a highly recommended game.
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90
Siliconera
Jul 26, 2021
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Samurai Warriors 5 offers a compelling story, satisfying gameplay, and a stunning visual style. It provides depth for those looking for it and is approachable for newcomers. It is chaotic yet focused and intriguing.
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85
Pure Nintendo
Aug 2, 2021
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Samurai Warriors 5 is a great game that refreshes the visuals and streamlines the roster. It is engaging and should thrill both old and new fans of the franchise.
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85
PlayStation Universe
Jul 26, 2021
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Samurai Warriors 5 is a great return to the franchise's roots with vibrant character designs and a stronger emphasis on story.
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85
God is a Geek
Jul 26, 2021
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Samurai Warriors 5 is an incredibly solid Musou game with a great new look and satisfying combat. It may not bring anything new to the series, but it's hard to deny how much fun it is to play.
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